Alaska Skijoring Pulk Association& 2009-2010 Program & Schedule Alaska Skijoring & Pulk Association Jamie’s Corner ASPA grooms trails for multiple use at A Note from the Creamer‟s and North Star thanks to the Alaska Skijoring President efforts of many great volunteers. and Pulk Association We will update the ASPA website to provide P.0. Box 82843 additional educational information about Fairbanks, AK 99708-2843 skijoring. Hotline: (907) 45-SKIJOR I‟m Jamie Marschner and I‟m the continuing (907) 457-5456 We will print a monthly newsletter during the www.sleddog.org/skijor President of the Alaska Skijoring and Pulk season with informative articles about topics or Association (ASPA). We have numerous alaskaskijoring.org of interest as well as upcoming events and activities planned this year for both beginning results of past events. and experienced skijorers. We will sponsor the The Fall General Membership meeting and following activities during the upcoming potluck in October will kick off our season. season: Join us for our Spring Membership Meeting Our Beginners‟ Clinic is scheduled at Alaska and Barbeque in March where we recognize Feed in November with an on-snow session all of our great volunteers! following at Creamer‟s Field. Pre-register early! It will be a busy fun-filled year! I hope to see Practice Clinics staffed by ASPA volunteers you out on the trails or at our many events. will be held at Creamer‟s Field trails for the Feel free to contact me or any ASPA Board beginner and for the more experienced member with questions about ASPA or to Something for skijorer with dogs who may need volunteer for any of the events. socialization or passing skills. Everyone The Fun Races continue at Creamer‟s and North Star Golf Course with Andy Warwick Jamie Marschner, President, 458-0462, 3 as our Race Coordinator. A lot of volunteer [email protected] Skijoring 101 helpers are needed for the many events. The philosophy of providing a distance for everyone will continue as will the fun rather than highly competitive format. Relays, 4Where to Go LeMans starts and the Orienteering Races Skijoring add to the variety. We are adding some Distance Races this year for those who prefer longer distances. Trail Etiquette6 The Race Across the Valley needs lots of and Safety volunteers as well as coordinators this year and we look forward to another set of exciting trails to experience. 72009/2010 The Birch Hill Race will again be the premier Schedule event of the season with participants from around the state joining us at this wonderful 9 venue. The Show „n‟ Go‟s are now called Trail Being Seen Tours (organized by Peggy Raybeck and Janna Miller) and we plan to have monthly tours on local trails.Your ideas 13 for trails to try are welcome! Grooming The Lee‟s Cabin race will be at the end of March to take advantage of early 14 spring weather. Membership We will continue to host the popular ski Info wax clinics with Fred Raymond. 15 Moose Country 17 2009- 2010 Program & Schedule Something for Everyone ASPA Has Something for Everyone Want to check out the sport before acquiring a dog or investing in 3 equipment? Fall Membership Meeting 2008 Attend the Beginners‟ Clinic or come out to any of our events and observe or volunteer to help out. See the ASPA schedule at www.sleddog.org/skijor/events.html. Don’t have a dog? Come to the Beginners‟ Clinic or a Fun Race and we‟ll show you how to get started. Have a dog who likes to run but you haven’t tried skijoring yet? Again, the Beginners‟ Clinic is just for you. It‟s amazing how quickly dogs figure this out when they‟ve got other teams to chase after. The trails around Creamer‟s Field, groomed by ASPA, are perfect for your first attempts at skijoring. Visit our website at www.sleddog.org/skijor/start.html for tips on the equipment you‟ll need to get started. Want to try skijoring for the first time in a more relaxed, one-on-one setting? Call Jamie Marschner (458-0462) and she‟ll hook you up with an ASPA member who can show you and your dogs the ropes. Veterinarian Tamara Rose gave a presentation Want to see your dog totally excited about running and share in that on canine first aid. excitement? Come to a Fun Race or any other ASPA race. See the ASPA schedule at www.sleddog.org/skijor/events.html. Want to improve your skijoring skills? Attend ASPA clinics through the year and read the “Getting Started” articles at www.sleddog.org/skijor/training.html. Want a relaxed tour with fellow skijorers or an overnight trip to a cabin? Check out the Trail Tours. See the ASPA schedule at www.sleddog.org/skijor/ events.html and the listing of Fairbanks area skijor-friendly trails at www.sleddog.org/ skijor/trails.html. Lots of good food at the potluck! Laurie Hueffer helping herself. Pat DeRuyter and Jamie Marschner stuffing themselves above. Listening intently below. Photos by: Bud Marschner Alaska Skijoring & Pulk Association Skijoring length of these two sections should be 6-8 feet. 101 Skijoring 101 by Sara Elzey The bungee end attaches to the skier using a 4 quick release, caribiner, or snap depending on So you want to try skijoring with your dog? the type of skijor belt. If you think that you may What do you need to try out this fun sport? And need to detach from your dog quickly, you may how do you get started? Keep reading to find want to use a quick release. The rope end out! attaches to the dog‟s harness with a snap similar to those on the end of a leash. Long before there is snow on the ground you can start working with your dog on basic Next you will need a skijoring belt for yourself. commands such as “GEE” (turn right); There are several different styles available; “HAW” (turn left); and “WHOA” (to stop). again, pick the style that feels most comfortable Practice these commands with your dog on a on you. Generally the ones that fit around your leash. For additional training tips and hips & butt, similar to a climbing harness, are commands, visit www.sleddog.org/skijor/ the best. They allow the pull of the dog to hit trainingtips. You can also work on general your center of gravity, rather than pulling on fitness for yourself and your dog by getting out your back. Bree and Kazan Marschner and walking, running or biking. Any size and modeling X-back breed of dog can learn to skijor, but skijoring is Last of all, you will need skis and boots and harnesses. fairly physically demanding so it helps if both probably, although not necessarily, poles. Don‟t of you have not been sitting on the chaise go out and buy new gear until you have tried lounge by the pool all summer. what you already have, but be aware that most skijorers find that they need to skate ski to keep You will need some basic equipment in order to up with their dog(s). Classic style skiing usually skijor. just isn‟t fast enough. Of the 3 pieces of gear necessary for skiing, boots are the most First of all, you‟ll need to outfit your dog. Your important! A good pair of boots will help your dog will need a harness that fits him properly. technique and keep your feet warm. If you have There are many different styles to choose from; to “go cheap” on some part of this ensemble, get pick the one that will fit him most comfortably. inexpensive poles. You can always upgrade later One that is too small may chaff or put pressure if you want to. on his back, hips or shoulders. One that is too big will make it hard for him to pull effectively. The Alaska Skijoring & Pulk Association offers Most of the local stores that sell skijoring many opportunities to try out skijoring with harnesses have staff that can help you fit your your dog. If you are a brand new beginner, come dog, otherwise seek help from an experienced Bree and Kazan Marschner out to the annual Beginners‟ Clinic in skijorer if you are not sure about fit. Any November. If you are looking for additional modeling Swedish member of the Alaska Skijoring & Pulk harnesses. practice, come to one of the regular Practice Association Board of Directors could help you Clinics. If you want to try out new trails in the with this. Our contact information is listed in Fairbanks area, plan to join a monthly Trail this program. It is also a good idea to always Tour. If you want to test your speed & skills have a collar and identification on your dog in against other skijorers in a low key, fun case the two of you should get separated. If you atmosphere, participate in one of our seven Fun have a very short-coated dog you may need to Races throughout the season. If your skills have invest in a dog coat. There are ones designed progressed and you want to try a more specifically to fit over the harness. Dogs with competitive race, come to the Annual Birch Hill tender feet or really furry feet may need to wear Race or participate in the 3-day Race Across the booties to protect them from getting ice balls. Valley Stage Race. All of these events are listed on the enclosed schedule and on the website Secondly, you‟ll need a skijor line to attach www.sleddog.org/skijor/events.